THANK YOU!
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FULL TIME ROUND-UP
Despite a bright start to the second half, the hosts never got back going after conceding against the run of play, and after some uninspiring substitutions from Abelardo, Espanyol were left to rue their early dominance.
For Levante, taking their chances when they came proved key, proving too much for a tired-looking Espanyol. The win means they cling on to some hope of squeezing into the European places as they now sit just five places behind rivals, Valencia.
FULL TIME: ESPANYOL 1-3 LEVANTE
A goal from Enis Bardhi and an own goal from Adrian Pedrosa in the second half means Levante run out winners at the RCDE Stadium!
CHANCE!
88' Big chance for the hosts to draw one back as a deep free kick finds bernado Cabrera at the back post, however his effort from close range is put wide!
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-3 LEVANTE - ADRIAN PEDROSA (OG)
87' It's three for Levante and calamity for Espanyol! A nothing ball into the box deflects off Pedrosa into his own net giving Diego Lopez no chance. That could well be that.
LEVANTE SUBSTITUTES
85' Double change for Levante as Roger Marti and Jose Campana come off for Pablo Martinez and Bruno Gonzalez
ESPANYOL SUBSTITUTES
82' Another double change for the hosts as Pipa and Matias Vargas replace Oscar Melendo and Javi Lopez
79' Since the subbing of Wu Lei, the hosts have offered next to nothing going forward.
They're going to need something special in the final 10 minutes to clinch a share of the points in this one.
ESPANYOL SUBSTITUTES
75' Two changes for the Pericos as Adrian Pedrosa and and Facundo Ferreyra replace Didac Vila and Victor Sanchez
CHANCE!
74' Great chance for the visitors to extended their lead! A corner from the left breaks for Jose Morales, who's effort from close range is well saved by Diego Lopez!
70' Change for the hosts as Wu Lei is replaced by Sergi Darder
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-2 LEVANTE - ENIS BARDHI
Against the run of play the visitors re-take the lead! The ball falls nicely for Bardhi on the edge of the box, and he slots home into the bottom corner for his third goal of the season!
CHANCE!
65' Big chance for the hosts as Victor Sanchez leads the Espanyol charge, however his effort from 15 yards out is well blocked for a corner!
LEVANTE SUBSTITUTES
63' Two changes for visitors as Hernani and Jose Morales come on for Borja Mayoral and Gonzalo Melero
CHANCE!
Some neat build-up play finds Calleri six yards from goal, however is acrobatic effort is easily saved by Aitor down to his left. The hosts are just starting to take control of this one...
53' Ardi Embarba swings in a dangerous ball from the left and Levante shot-stopper, Aitor Fernandez does well to palm it away
47' Bright start for the hosts as Didac Vila gets in behind down the left and wins a corner. The following set piece comes to nothing.
SECOND HALF: ESPANYOL 1-1 LEVANTE
46' The visitors get the second half going!
Here come the teams for the second half...
HALF TIME: ESPANYOL 1-1 LEVANTE
The two teams go in all-square at the break after David Lopez's header cancelled out Borja Mayoral's earlier opener.
All to play for in the second half!
45' Four minutes added on at the end of the first half
DISALLOWED GOAL
43' Carnage in the Espanyol box as low cross comes off two defenders before being headed in by Mayoral. However, the assistant's flag saves the hosts' blushes, disallowing the goal for offside!
YELLOW CARD - DIDAC VILA
37' Vila becomes the third Espanyol man to find his way into the referee's book for a late challenge on Jorge Miramon
DRINKS BREAK
32' Quick drinks break for the players, as the Catalonian sun beats down on El Prat Cornella
GOAL! ESPANYOL 1-1 LEVANTE - DAVID LOPEZ
27' The hosts are level! A long throw from Leandro Cabrera is met by captain, Luiz at the near post and his glancing header finds the bottom corner! GAME ON!
YELLOW CARDS - Leandro Cabrera & Jonathan Calleri
19' Two bookings in a minute for the hosts as Carbrera and Calleri find their way into the referee's book.
GOAL! ESPANYOL 0-1 LEVANTE - BORJA MAYORAL
14' The visitors have the lead! Borja Mayoral finds his way into the Espanyol area and slots home to put his side one up!
7' First chance for the visitors as Jonathan Calleri finds space 20 yards from goal, beats his man but smashes his effort way over the bar.
4' A looping ball from Victor Sanchez takes a wicked deflection and nearly catches Aitor Fernandez off guard, however the keeper does well to tip the ball over the bar.
2' Early chance for the visitors as Jose Campana curls an effort wide from the edge of the box.
KICK OFF: ESPANYOL 0-0 LEVANTE
1' Espanyol get the game going at the RCDE Stadium!
Levante Starting XI
Here is how Levante will line-up
ALINEACIÓN | ¡Este es nuestro once inicial para enfrentarnos al @RCDEspanyol!#VolverEsGanar #EspanyolLevante pic.twitter.com/iEnPrllsRa
— Levante UD 🐸 (@LevanteUD) June 20, 2020
RCD Espanyol Starting XI
Here is how the hosts line-up
👥¡11 de Abelardo para el partido de hoy!
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) June 20, 2020
Som-hi, pericos! ⚪ 🔵#EspanyoldeBarcelona | #RCDE | #EspanyolLevante pic.twitter.com/LIVoXJAAY3
MATCH DAY!
Stay tuned for the pre-match build up and teamnews and then make sure to join us for the live commentary!
🔥 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) June 20, 2020
⚽ @RCDEspanyol 🆚 @LevanteUD
🕑 14h
🏟 RCDE Stadium
🗓️ Jornada 30
💪💪 Força, Mágico!
⚪🔵 ¡A por todas, equipo!#EspanyoldeBarcelona | #RCDE | #EspanyolLevante pic.twitter.com/hhzcVRnXNv
How to watch and follow RCD Espanyol vs Levante live stream
If you want to watch the game on TV: Premier Sports (La Liga Tv)
If you want to follow online: VAVEL UK, of course!
Levante Team News
Here is the visitors squad for the clash. Star front man, Roger Marti returns after missing the last outing against Sevilla due to suspension.
CONVOCATORIA | Esta es la citación de Paco López para el #EspanyolLevante correspondiente a la jornada 30. ¡Vamos! #VolverEsGanar 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/raIAxPab3H
— Levante UD 🐸 (@LevanteUD) June 19, 2020
RCD Espanyol Team News
Here is the match day squad for the hosts.
The key absentee is forward, Raul De Tomas who again misses out due to a lack of match fitness.
📋 Llista de convocats 🆚 @LevanteUD!
— RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (@RCDEspanyol) June 19, 2020
📋 ¡Lista de convocados 🆚 Levante!
📋 Squad list 🆚 Levante!
📋 大名单 🆚 莱万特！#EspanyoldeBarcelona | #RCDE | #EspanyolLevante pic.twitter.com/bUlna3uStz
Levante One-to-watch: Roger Marti
At the other end, Levante front man, Roger Marti could prove key for the visitors in front of goal after already netting 11 times this season, and after being suspended for their last outing against Sevilla, there is no doubt he will be raring to go.
RCD Espanyol One-to-watch: Wu Lei
One man who the home side will be counting on is front man, Wu Lei. The Chinese international has proved key since the return to football, and showed his worth in the 2-0 win over Alaves, scoring the second and picking up the man of the match award.
Recent Form
Both sides go into the game unbeaten since the league restart, with Espanyol picking up a 2-0 win over Alaves and a 0-0 stalemate with Getafe, Whilst Levante have recorded two credible 1-1 draws against Valencia and Sevilla.
An outside chance of Europe?
For Levante, they sit safely in 11th 10 points clear of the dreaded drop zone. A win in this one could give The Frogs' an outside chance of leaping towards Europe as they currently sit eight points behind rivals, Valencia.
The fight for survival continues
After lying at the foot of the La Liga table and six points from safety at the beginning of the La Liga restart, a win and a draw in the past week has allowed Espanyol to move off the bottom in their fight for survival.
A win in this one would go a long way in their battle to avoid the drop.
WELCOME!
Hello everyone and welcome to VAVEL UK's live text commentary of RCD Espanyol vs Levante. My name is Josh Lees and I'll be providing you live updates both pre-match and in game, stay tuned!